Thighlighting describes a range of plastic surgery procedures designed to give someone’s legs a full-on makeover.

Think thigh lifts, liposuction, trimming down the inner thighs, and even calf implants, all thrown at women’s legs to make them fit narrow ideals of beauty.

‘Thighs are always an area of concern for women,’ Dr Gabriel Chu tells the Hollywood Reporter. ‘Also, thighs are an area that makes a dramatic difference in the overall body. When contoured right to elongate the legs, they can help create a better proportion, thus the entire physique looks leaner and longer.’

This is Bella Hadid. Loads of people are asking for legs just like hers. (Picture: UMV/Star Max/GC Images)

THR reports that celebs such as Bella Hadid and Jennifer Lopez – and the trend for thigh-high split dresses on red carpets – are creating mounting pressure to have slim, sculpted legs.

To be clear, thighlighting isn’t as simple as sucking out fat and making your limbs stick thin. Surgeons say clients now want a thigh gap, reduced cellulite, and shaped thighs that have been contoured to flatter the body. So people are hoping for sculpted legs rather than just stick thin ones.

These surgeries are invasive, painful, and require quite a bit of recovery time, so thighlighting is quite the commitment to your thighs.

Before you ponder getting your thighs liposuctioned, bear in mind that body trends change, and what’s considered beautiful right now may not be forever. Who knows – maybe thighs that touch and rub will be the next big thing. Here’s hoping.